<J and <K are complementary angles. The measure of <J is 18 less than the measure of <K. Find the measure of each angle.

Answer 1

Mark H made a simple error leading to an incorrect answer

Complementary angles add up to 90 degrees, NOT 180 degrees

Supplementary angles add to 180 degrees

So the correct equations are

J + K = 90

J = K - 18 ==> K - 18 + K = 90

2K - 18 = 90

2K = 108

K = 54

Thus J = K - 18 = 54 - 18 = 36

So K = 54 and J = 36

Answer 2

They are complementary, so J + K = 180 (equation 1)

"The measure of <J is 18 less than the measure of <K." This translates to:

J = K - 18

Substitute this into equation 1 to get:

K - 18 + K = 180

2K = 198

K = 99

From the 2nd equation:

J = 99 - 18 = 81

CHECK:

J + K = 99 + 81 = 180